Chapter Seven
Sad Goodbye

Ginny left that morning at around 9:30, after being swarmed with hugs and good-byes, and even a last minute present. Her mother cried, her father was speechless, and Fred and George made jokes.

"Hey, Ginny, when you see Snape, tell him that we missed his brilliant personality here at the Order. If it wasn't for him, we'd never have agreed to join…" Fred snickered, only triggering more tears from their mother.

"Fred! Can't you see your mother is already worried enough? Do you think you two could just keep quiet?" Mr. Weasley implored sternly while hugging Mrs. Weasley and patting her arm.

"Alright, Dad. But, really Ginny, good luck. You're really brave for doing this, I mean if I had to duel that slimy grease ball and his mate Voldie, I'd-" George started but no one heard the ending of his joke for Mrs. Weasley wailed louder than ever.

Ginny was too busy trying to suppress her laughter to notice that her bracelet was talking.

"Ginny! Ginny, can you hear me? Please answer! Your bracelet, Ginny! It's me, Hermione!" squeaked the little snitch dangling from Ginny's bracelet.

Ginny twisted the snitch and spoke into it as Hermione said to do the previous night.

"Sorry! Where are you? I thought you were down here a minute ago…"

Just then, Hermione apparated at Ginny's side, and brought her into a tight hug. While being strangled by Hermione, Fred and George made a game out of tossing Pigwidgeon to each other, and every time Ron got close, they would dispparate a few feet away.

Dumbledore descended down the stairs, and the whole room quieted at the sight of him. He cleared his throat before he began to speak to them.

"Everyone, we all know that it is time for Ginevra to leave and begin her mission. But, she has a few minutes before we need to leave for the Ministry, so I thought I would present her with my gift now."

Ginny was astounded. Not once did she even stop to think that Dumbledore hadn't given her a gift the previous evening. 'I guess he's done so much for me already, it would be wrong to expect one from him,' she thought to herself.

With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore summoned a medium sized parcel out of thin air, and handed it to Ginny with a smile. Ginny looked around at everyone who was staring at the package in her hand, which was now unwrapping itself. She looked down with curiosity as the package continued to unfold in her hands. When it was finished, Ginny was left holding a satin, lilac colored box. She removed the lid and into her hands flowed a soft, silvery, lightweight cloak.

"Professor, thank you! I, I can't believe you would give this to me! I mean, don't you need it?" was all Ginny could manage to say as she held the rare, mysterious invisibility cloak.

"I daresay I don't need it anymore. Why, I realized it the other day when I disappeared after exiting the Great Hall. I believe that if I scratch my left ear three times, I become invisible all on my own! And I can't doubt that the cloak would be helpful to you. But now, Ginny, we must be leaving, for the Minister would like to talk to you before you depart. Say your goodbyes, and then-" Dumbledore was interrupted by the shrieking of Mrs. Black's portrait.

With a look of amusement on his face, Dumbledore strode over to the wailing portrait just as Luna cantered over towards the door to check if anyone was there. Dumbledore waved his wand and muttered a countercharm under his breath, and Mrs. Black's portrait was lifted from the wall and disappeared.

"I thought I would try it, and apparently it worked! Luna, there was no one at the door? Well, I guess she just felt like screeching! As I was saying, Ginny, grab your trunk, and we shall leave for the Ministry," Dumbledore responded to the surprised look on everyone's face.

Ginny bade everyone farewell, levitated her trunk, and made her way toward the fireplace, closely followed by Dumbledore.

She took a pinch of Floo Powder into her hand and waved goodbye as a tear rolled down her cheek, then shouted clearly into the fire, "The Ministry of Magic!"